After a month-long break, Arsenal Women are back in action this Sunday, with Gooners heading down to Meadow Park for an exciting clash against Crystal Palace. The match presents an opportunity for Arsenal to extend their unbeaten run and close the gap with the league leaders.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace, who are fighting to escape the relegation zone, will be keen to cause an upset and take home some much-needed points.

New Year, New Manager:

This week, Arsenal announced Renée Slegers as their permanent Head Coach, a move that has delighted fans following her impressive stint as interim manager. Under Slegers’ leadership, the team has delivered standout performances and rediscovered their rhythm.

In her first press conference since the appointment, Slegers expressed her joy at continuing in the role, highlighting the strong connections she has built with staff, players, and supporters. She also outlined her vision for the club’s future, aiming to guide Arsenal back to silverware-winning ways.

Team News:

In team news, Slegers confirmed there are no new updates, with the same squad available for Sunday’s match as would have been available for last weekend’s cancelled FA Cup fixture. Fans will be delighted to hear that both Victoria Pelova and Amanda Ilestedt, took part in full training this week.

Their eventual return will undoubtedly bolster the squad as Arsenal approach the crucial second half of the season. Meanwhile, Slegers revealed that Kathrine Kühl is nearing a move away from the club, a move that has been rumoured for some time.

Arsenal’s Position:

Arsenal enter the weekend in third place in the WSL with 21 points, trailing Manchester City (22 points) and Chelsea (28 points). With Chelsea showing no signs of slowing down and Manchester City narrowly ahead, Arsenal will be eager to maintain their momentum from recent victories and pile pressure on their competition.

With little room for error, every match feels like a must-win if the Gunners are still hoping to win the league title.

Palace’s Perspective:

Palace head into this match as the underdogs, currently sitting 12th in the WSL with only 5 points, they’re battling to avoid relegation. While results have been hard to come by this season, they have shown glimpses of resilience, with a compact defence and the ability to frustrate stronger opponents.

Manager Laura Kaminski will be hoping for a standout performance that agitates Arsenal’s flow and capitalises on any counter-attacking opportunities. Points at Meadow Park could be crucial in their fight for survival.

Closing Thoughts:

As Arsenal return to Meadow Park, the stakes are high for both sides. The Gunners will aim to continue their push towards the top of the table while Crystal Palace fight to keep their survival hopes alive. Fans can expect an intense battle as both teams look to start the New Year on the right foot.